Earache may be associated with cerumen impaction, acute suppurative otitis media, and other conditions, requiring causative and symptomatic treatment depending on the cause and characteristics of the condition. There is no best treatment that covers all diseases by only addressing the symptoms.
1. Cerumen impaction: Cerumen impaction can irritate the external auditory canal and tympanic membrane, resulting in earache. Patients with clear cerumen impaction can seek medical attention for cerumen removal by cerumen hook removal, flushing, or suction. Some patients can also follow the doctor’s instructions to use 5% sodium bicarbonate ear drops ear bath in order to soften the cerumen, and then rinse the external auditory canal to remove the cerumen.
2. Acute suppurative otitis media: If it is clearly caused by acute suppurative otitis media, it can cause obvious ear pain due to the accumulation of pus in the middle ear cavity, and the pain can be relieved by acetaminophen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs when the pain is severe, and those who are clearly infected with bacterial infections can be treated with penicillin, cefuroxime, and other antibiotics. Some patients can also apply dexamethasone, prednisone and other glucocorticoid drugs.
Before tympanic membrane perforation, 2% phenol glycerin drops can be used to achieve the purpose of anti-inflammatory and pain relief. After perforation of the tympanic membrane, replace the 3% hydrogen peroxide solution or boric acid water to thoroughly clean the pus in the external auditory canal, when the pus is reduced and the inflammation gradually subsides, then use 3% boric acid glycerin, 3% boric acid alcohol and other ear drops to treat the disease. In severe cases, tympanotomy, tympanoplasty and other surgical treatments are also feasible.
There are many causes of earache, such as traumatic perforation of the eardrum, cholesteatoma of the external auditory canal, mumps, tonsillitis and so on. It is recommended that earache sufferers seek medical examination and follow the doctor’s instructions for treatment, and not to use drugs or prescriptions on their own.